Tight Speaker Jacks

[glgarber]

On the Mark III Black Dot I just acquired, the speaker jacks are all EXTREMELY tight. I have to use a LOT of force to plug the cable in.

Is this common? My buddy has a Blue Stripe III, and his speaker jacks aren't nearly as tight. Is there any potential for damaging either the jacks or my cables? If so, is there any way to "stretch" them out without just replacing the jacks?

 

[Restless Rocks]

The jacks on my purple stripe are still as tight as they were when I bought it in 1985. Nothing to worry about. It makes me feel better knowing there is good solid contact to the speaker cord.

 

[glgarber]

Yeah, it's definitely good for them to be secure, but these are WAY beyond secure, and that's why I was a bit concerned. Thanks.

 

[boogiemon]

i would just pull it out of the cabinet & take a look. The mesa speaker jacks i've encountered so far are generally too loose for my liking.

 

[glgarber]

i would just pull it out of the cabinet & take a look. The mesa speaker jacks i've encountered so far are generally too loose for my liking.

I actually have the chassis out currently. What would I even need to look for?

 

[CudBucket]

Are you sure it's not the plug itself? I made some speaker cables and used (I forget which) some pricey plugs and they're super tight in both the speaker cab jack and the output jack on the amp. But if I use a Monster cable instead, it goes right in.

 

[SonicProvocateur]

Are you sure it's not the plug itself? I made some speaker cables and used (I forget which) some pricey plugs and they're super tight in both the speaker cab jack and the output jack on the amp. But if I use a Monster cable instead, it goes right in.

^This.

Try checking it with a different cable. As we all know, not all cables are created equal. My blue stripe's jacks are comfortable and secure with my Rapco Roadhogs, but my cabinet end has been blasted with use so much that on some heavy bass hits it works it's way out...now that's not the cable; it's the jack.

 

[glgarber]

It's all good. I talked to the original owner and he said they've always been snug.

I've used a Planet Waves cable as well as another generic cable (for the time being--most of my gear is in another town right now). The generic one seemed to slide in a bit easier.

 

[edmiller9999]

Try using a little KY Jelly. And don't try to put it in too fast.

 

[glgarber]

Try using a little KY Jelly. And don't try to put it in too fast.

+1

I think I read somewhere the No Stripes take Astroglide better.

 

[dodger916]

Try using a little KY Jelly. And don't try to put it in too fast.

+1

I think I read somewhere the No Stripes take Astroglide better.

I thought that was the purple stripes? :wink: